1) Preparing and applying the stockinette
All casts start with the stockinette. Use 2" stockinette and cut it so that the stockinette extends 1" beyond your knuckles and above your elbow. Cut a 1/2" slice at a 45-degree angle where your saddle joint, or thumb, will be. Place the stockinette over your arm and put your thumb through the hole you cut earlier.
Take your 3" cast padding and start unrolling at the wrist. Go around the wrist once to secure the end and work your way across your hand, ripping the cast padding about half way across so that it goes across the thumb without bunching. Do this twice more and make one turn around the thumb, then continue up the arm until two fingers before the elbow and work your way back to the wrist, cutting off the excess. It is important to overlap by 1/3. Now fold the 2" excess stockinette back over the cast padding.
Put on the disposable gloves. Now take a 2" fiberglass bandage. Once again start at the wrist and make one complete turn to secure the end. Do not stretch the fiberglass because that will weaken it. But be firm enough so that it does not bunch. As you bring the fiberglass between the index finger and thumb continue around the thumb go around the wrist and make another turn around the thumb. Bring the fiberglass across the back of the hand to the wrist. Now repeat this process two more times. Finish the 2" roll by working your way down the rest of the arm. Now open a 3" fiberglass bandage and continue from where you left off with the 2". Work your way to the end of the stockinette, making sure to leave a 1/4" of stockinette showing. Continue back to just below the thumb, still overlapping by half a bandage width.
As the cast starts to set, apply pressure to the cast using the palms of your hand to mold the cast to the forearm. Also hold down the loose end until the resin has taken hold.
Now you have the perfect Thumb Spica cast.
Pic's Donated By Kater
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